Moisture retaining pad for air cooling devices



March 1948- r M. E. MARSALIS 3 ,859

MOISTURE RETAINING fAD FOR AIR COOLING DEVICES Filed Sept. 14, 1945 a ent-gr a Mazmv 57742544 154 By 12; y

Patented Mar. 30, 1948 MOISTURE RETAINING PAD FOR AIR; COOLING DEVICES Martin E. 'Marsalis, Fort Worth, Tex.

Application September 14, 1945, Serial No. 616,184

This invention relates to air cooling equipment and it has particular reference to moisture retaining pads employed in air cooling and conditioning devices through which the air is drawn by means of-a suitable-fan, or the like, and its primary object resides in the provision of a pad construction in which'is incorporated a water conduit having both inlet and discharge openings whereby the pad is kept moist and providing a rigid frame for the said pad.

An object of the invention is that of providing a unique cooling pad construction which is both compact and rigid and capable of being employed in any type of air Cooling equipment utilizing water as a. cooling agent for the air drawn through the pad by any conventional means.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a corrugated baflle arranged along the upper end of the tubular frame and above the water discharge orifices. whereby the liquid is broken up into droplets and directed downwardly upon the moisture retaining material of the pad to evenly and thoroughly saturate the same and maintain such saturation at all times.

Broadly, the invention seeks to comprehend the provision of a moisture retaining air cooling pad which is embodied in a compact unit 3 Claims. (Cl. 299-20) including a tubular frame through which the moistening liquid is conducted, as well as affording a rigid mounting for the pad, and providing a readily detachable unit which can easily be adapted for any type of air conditioning equipment of the character described.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the invention illustrating, in cutaway sections, the manner of construction and showing the corrugated baffle, partially cut away, at the top of the frame.

Figure 2 illustrates a side or edge view of the invention showing the tubular frame and foraminous envelope embracing the entire unit.

Figure 3 is a lateral cross-sectional illustration, taken on lines 33 of Figure 1, showing both fabric and wire mesh envelopes on the pad and illustrating the manner in which the same are retained thereon, and

Figure 4 fragmentarily shows, in perspective detail, the form of the bafile and its relationship to the discharge orifices in the upper end of the frame.

The invention contemplates the provision of a tubular frame 'lil, preferably rectangular in form but having rounded corners l l. Theframe lll may be formed of such material as copper tubing of any desired gauge and rigidity and has a liquid inlet [2 to which may b attached a hose (not shown) or any suitable connection by which water can be introduced intothe tubing. It is desirable to connect the inlet 12' to a'water supply pipe and provide a suitable valve thereforwhereby the supply and flow ofthe liquid can be properly regulated. It is preferable to place the inlet I2 near the bottombf the frame [0, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The end of the tubing opposite the inlet I2 is closed.

Along the top of the frame I0 is arranged a series of relatively small orifices I3 providing outlets for the liquid introduced through the inlet IZ. A baffle I4 is arranged along and above the upper end of the frame [0 and is substantially inverted U shaped, as shown in Figure 2, and provides a box-like hood above the orifices l3. It is desirable to corrugate the baifle I4 to provide miniature vertical troughs I5 along each side, as shown in Figure 4, the purpose and function of which will presently become manifest.

A pad 16, comprising a fibrous moisture retaining material l1, such as excelsior, or the like, is arranged within the frame It and is de signed to extend to all its sides and completely fill the same as shown in Figure 1. A covering of fabric 18 is first placed about the material and the entire assembly, including the frame 10, is enveloped in a wire mesh [9, in the manner illustrated in Figure 1. The foraminous envelope IS, the fabric 18 and the fibrous filler I! are tied through at intervals with strong cord or wire 20, in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 3.

The result of the arrangement just described is a unified assemblywhich is rigid and durable yet sufficiently porous to permit the passage of air therethrough in sufiicient volume to provide adequate cooling when the filler I! is impregnated with moisture. A plurality of mounting brackets 2| are spaced about the frame H] by which the same can be mounted in a cabinet (not shown) in which a fan may be arranged.

In operation, when water is introduced in proper volume through the inlet [2 into the frame I, the liquid will flow through the orifices in tiny streams and impinge upon the inner wa1ls of the baffle I4 thereabove and be broken up or atomized into small droplets which run down the miniature troughs l5 and drop on the 3 pad "5. The corrugated sides of the baflle l4 also function to prevent the liquid from running along their lower edges a and dropping off at either end in event the assembly is not level as would be the case if the edges (1 were smooth.

The troughs l5 insure an even distribution of moisture all along both sides of the pad I6 which will penetrate the full length and breadth thereof and thus afford a uniform moisture impregnated screen drawn therethrough can be washed and cooled and dust particles excluded.

It is contemplated that the cabinet in which the invention is to be installed is provided with a collector trough or other suitable means of .receiving the Water which may drip from the bottom of the pad l6. Such an arrangement, obviously, is conventional. V

Manifestly, the construction herein shown and modifications by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What-is claimed is: V V

1. In a moisture pad for cooling devices, the combination with a tubular frame having orifices in portions thereof mounting brackets therefor, a porous moisture retaining material arranged in t-he'saidframeand having substantially the same thickness as thesaid frame toform-a pad, afabric'covering-enveloping the said pad and a :wire mesh coveringthe said fabric and the said frame; means tying the said pad and coverings in a compact unit and meansfm'admitting1a .liquidiinto the said tubular frame to 'be dischargedthroughsaid orifices. I

2. .In an evaporator 'for 'air cooling "apparatus,

the combination with a tubular frame capable of having a fluid conducted therethrough and having discharge orifices in portions thereof and mounting brackets for said frame, a moisture retaining pad arranged in said frame and having substantially the same thickness as said frame, a fabric coverin for said pad and a wire mesh covering said fabric and said frame, means tyingsa'idpad and 'coverings'in a compact unit, and

means for admitting a fluid into said tubular frame to be discharged through said orifices,

3. In an evaporator device for air cooling apparatus, in combination with an air cooling pad of-an absorbent material and a tubular frame Q described is capable of considerable changes and therefor capable of conducting a fluid therethrough, discharge orifices for said fluid arranged along the upper horizontal member of said frame over said pad, a fluid baffle arranged longitudh nall'y of said horizontal member above said orifices and having corrugated flanges depending on each .side-of said. member,- the corrugations-in said flanges defining troughs directing fluid droplets onto saidpad therebeneath. r

- .MARTIN E. MARSALIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of thispatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,190,395 Osbun i July 11, 1916 1,546,841 Kuhn July 2 1, 1925 1,927,593 Mohler' Sept. 19,1933

1,981,107 Jefferson Nov. 20, 1934 

